Surprises on the high seas: a first-time cruiser's account

Until recently, the probability of me taking a cruise was about the same as doing a luxury coach tour of Tuscany or catching a glass-roofed train in the Rockies.

Sure, that sounds pleasant enough for a much older, more cautious version of me, but it didn't seem where I'd be likely to sink my travel time and money any time soon.

But having been lured onto an Aegean cruise as a guest of the Azamara Quest, my skepticism has fallen away.

These are five things that might surprise and delight a first-time cruiser.

When you're on an overseas trip, especially when you're driving yourself around, you're constantly making decisions, big and small. On a cruise ship, your decisions come down to what shore excursion you'll take tomorrow or whether your next drink will be a cocktail or champagne. I'd underestimated how much more relaxed I'd be when stripped of the decision-making that goes with even the best self-managed holidays. On a cruise, once you're unpacked you'll find yourself in a happy trance, floating from one gorgeous place to the next.

From Captain Johannes who wishes you a great day as you step off the ship each morning to the attendant handing you a cooling towel when you return in the afternoon, staff on a good cruise ship know that making you feel at home is key. You're constantly returning hellos and smiles. Bartender Ruby may soon know your favourite drink. Lounge bar piano player Jose may take your song request then spend half a week practicing it to get it just right for you. While you know you're another of the thousands of passengers they'll encounter during their working year, they make you feel special and at home. It's little wonder some people develop such loyalty to a particular ship and its staff. It can feel a wrench saying goodbye.

Having mentioned the blissful lack of decisions you have to make, the exception is when it comes to your belly. Even on a relatively small ship like the Quest, you're spoiled for choice. There are top-tier restaurants where you can pay a little more for fine dining to make a special night of it. But even the venues included in your ticket price are delicious, varied and oh-so-abundant. For special events, the buffets are grander than you'll ever see on land. And the quality was always good. One happy surprise was the little snacks that were always available. Who knew you needed that frozen yoghurt by the pool or that midnight chicken drumstick at the bar?

Even if you're not a gymgoer in your land-lubber life, you may surprise yourself by enjoying a workout on the ship. Earning credits for the aforementioned drumsticks is only part of it. There's something quite fabulous about exercising at dawn out at sea as you pass by tiny islands nearing your next port. I tried to get out most mornings to hit the jogging track up on the top deck where the views are at their best. Others hit the gym or sauna. With the aid of a sign that converts distances, I chose to run out my laps in nautical miles while at sea. For me, two nautical miles and a cool down swim at the pool meant exercise had never been more scenic and serene.

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I know Disney people, whose DNA seems forged at the Happiest Place on Earth. The same is true of cruisers. Some people you'll meet will be on cruise number 20 or 30. They'll have opinions on the pros and cons of the ship you're on, but they'll be most eager to know what you think of the experience. What do you love? How does it match up to what you imagined? Will you be joining the cruise cult too?

Even on the day we set out, the on-board sales desk was busy with passengers booking their next one and the one after. To be honest, by the end of the trip I could start to see why.

The writer was a guest of Azamara.